Rising Up Against the Taliban

Sept. 20, 2012 7:18 p.m. ET

fullscreen

Fighters man a post facing a Taliban-controlled village in Andar, one of the most dangerous districts in the volatile province of Ghazni, in southeast Afghanistan. The men's base in Kunsap village used to be a Taliban stronghold, but a local uprising has put the Taliban on the defense.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

One of the founders of the local anti-Taliban movement stands on the front lines and points out nearby villages under Taliban control. The uprising started in March, shortly after the Taliban closed government schools in retaliation for a government ban on unregistered motorcycles.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

As U.S. relations with the administration of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai deteriorate, the rebels in Andar, including these posing for a photo in the village of Gandayir, may be America's best hope for a decisive blow to the Taliban.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

The local wish for self-rule could make the Andar movement a longer-term challenge for the central government's authority. Afghan and coalition officials have yet to determine what role such unregulated local militias would play in the future.
Villagers at a shop in Kunsap.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

'We want support for the uprising. But we want the people to maintain ownership of this uprising,' said Faizanullah Faizan, the leader of the Andar rebels, second from left among a group of fighters in a house in Payendai village, where the first fighting took place.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

After driving the Taliban out of Kunsap, the fighters reopened Mullah Mushk Alam High School, shown here.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

Members of the uprising, like these on a motorbike in the village of Gandayir, mostly patrol on foot and by motorcycle. In both equipment and appearance, they are hard to distinguish from the Taliban.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

The Taliban are trying to crush the challenge, ramping up executions of the movement's supporters and planting homemade bombs on roads and at bazaars. In the village of Qadamkhil, a fighter inspects the home of one of the leaders of the uprising. The Taliban blew up the house.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

A fighter holds a copy of the Quran, which was burned in the fire of the explosion.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…

The body of a local anti-Taliban fighter named Zubair awaits burial in a mosque in Kunsap.
Habib Khan Totakhil/WSJ…